1969 Honda CB750 Sandcast

The History:

Known as the first superbike, in June 1969, Honda completely re-wrote the rulebook when they launched the CB750 in North America. This wasn’t a moment’s work and both Honda and Kawasaki were known to be developing a four-cylinder 750cc machine. It became clear that whoever got their machine to the market first would revolutionise both their business and the motorcycle world as we knew it.

With this in mind, Honda charged full speed ahead to make sure they were first in the showrooms. The bike was ready for production, but much of the die-cast tooling was not. Unwilling to halt progress, they resolved to push the bike into production with temporary sandcast tooling for the crank cases, cylinder head, cylinder barrel, oil pump, cam chain tensioner, front brake T-piece, and gearbox bearing holder. What happened next changed history - the new electric-start overhead cam machine’s sales spread like wildfire. Honda eventually produced 7,414 machines with sandcast parts before introducing the 'K0' later that year which used fully productionised die-cast items. These early machines have become some of the most coveted collectables for collectors worldwide.

The Bike:

Production of the CB750 commenced at the Saitama (Wako Plant) and Hamamatsu factories on 15th March 1969. This beautiful example was completed on 26th May and carries frame number CB750-1001792 and engine number CB750E-1001890. This early model features the sought after left-hand horn bracket, which was moved to the right on later models. It was shipped to a customer in North America, where it spent the majority of its life before being brought to the UK and restored by marque expert John Wyatt of Rising Sun Restorations. Wyatt needs little introduction as a master of his craft, having literally written the book on CB750 restorations and this is plain to see in the high quality of his work.

The restoration relied heavily on new/old stock genuine parts and an absolute emphasis on originality. The bike presents beautifully in Candy Ruby Red (its original colour) and retains its original 'wrinkle tank', a byproduct of the early pressing process which disappeared on later machines. Period correct details don’t stop there, with the bike retaining a double-cut front mudguard, rolled rear rim, speedo and tacho with sandcast gearboxes, red seat foam and of course, the all-important original sandcast crankcases.

Whilst there isn’t any history to speak of from its tenure in the US, the mileage remains unchanged from when it was imported. Dry stored as an objet d’art since its restoration, it is perfectly running on the button and has recently benefited from a new battery. Not UK-registered, but supplied with a NOVA certificate and all duties/taxes paid, should the new owner wish to register the machine.

Location: Worcestershire

Seller: Private

Photography: Professional